Call of Duty: Mobile Review: Big Bang, Little Device
If you don't recognize the name Call of Duty, perhaps you've been living under a rock... or in a coma. This adrenaline-fueled, testosterone-laden juggernaut of a series has been going strong since 2003 and shows no signs of slowing down. With titles available across platforms such as Windows, OS X, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo, you may be wondering whether the series needs a mobile extension. So, does Call of Duty: Mobile end in victory for the souls who have answered the call?
Allow me to answer that question with another question: Can grip tape affect the speed and accuracy of a gun? The answer is an emphatic yes! Developed by TiMi Studio and published through Activision, Call of Duty: Mobile was initially released in 2019. It garnered 270 million downloads and generated over $480 million within its first year. Naturally, I had to grab a Mountain Dew, snap into a Slim Jim, and see what the hype was all about.
When I first downloaded Call of Duty: Mobile, I was intimidated about where to start! Between ranked matches, multiplayer, battle royale, tournament, and a new "Crown of Kings” event, there were many options to choose from, yet no single-player campaign mode. Between the many game modes, the weapon selection, and, of course, the in-game store, there were dozens of clickable choices on my tiny mobile screen within the first moments of downloading.
The highlight of Call of Duty: Mobile would undoubtedly be its battle royale which features up to one hundred people playing simultaneously in one- to four-person squads. But before I could unlock that, I had to get to at least level 7 with my character. To the game's credit, this provided an incentive to work toward, and seeing as multiplayer was one of the few modes unlocked, a road map on where to start. Otherwise, it could easily be an overwhelming experience.
The standard multiplayer mode is the most reminiscent of previous Call of Duty titles and includes classic maps such as Nuketown from Black Ops. The goal is to be the first team to get to fifty kills. I was given a quick tutorial and thrown into the heat of battle with several companions. It's here where I noticed the difference between the console counterparts.
Although movement and shooting were satisfying on the touchscreen of my iOS device, without a controller, it was challenging to pull off more complex activities like going prone. Furthermore, my screen was cluttered with tons of icons, not to mention my thumbs, and it was easy to click on something in the heat of the action accidentally. The developers have tried to remedy these concerns with many options to change the controls to your liking, but a controller is still ideal. Assuming you have a PS4, PS5, or Xbox controller, limited support is an option.
With that said, it was fun blowing away enemies or burning folks alive with my flamethrower. Although my poor character was turned into a bullet sandwich on multiple occasions, I still received plenty of experience points and weapon unlocks with each match. It's clear the core multiplayer mode was designed as a basic starting point for noobs, as I reached level 7 in no time and was off to the coveted battle royale!
The goal of battle royale is simple: survive! In battle royale, you're given the option to play in third- or first-person mode. There are also a variety of classes to choose from. I chose medic, which gave me the ability to create a healing field for my teammates and me. The opening cinematic was quite impressive, and damn if it didn't get me in the mood to start shootin' folks! At the start of each match, a jump leader is chosen who decides which section of the map is a good landing point.
From then on, the goal is to scour the area for equipment and items to use against the enemy. The map gets smaller and "safety zones" shrink as the game progresses. This adds another element of difficulty. I enjoyed the battle royale mode very much. Each map included fun features, such as vehicles like helicopters and cars to travel in, sandstorms to avoid, and because no Call of Duty is complete without it, even a zombie boss. Call of Duty: Mobile does an excellent job matching players of similar experience levels. Each game felt like I was playing against opponents of similar skill sets.
However, I have to wonder to what extent Call of Duty: Mobile implements bots into its servers? I'm not the most experienced guy at shooters, but I was getting triple kills against other players, and I wasn't even aiming for their heads. It made me think that some of the enemy combatants were computers on a lower AI level. That, or I've got god-like natural skills.
Call of Duty: Mobile has two sources of currency: credits and COD points. While credits can be collected in-game, COD points must be purchased with real-world cash. You can use these to beef up your weapons or buy bundle packs. Nevertheless, like its console counterparts, Call of Duty: Mobile does an excellent job of ensuring that players aren't overpowered just because they've bought a lot of swag. The microtransactions weren't pushed on me in the overbearing way they are advertised in some mobile games, perhaps because Call of Duty is already such a high-profile title. Spending money wasn’t necessary for me to enjoy playing. I found myself with tons of loot, such as weapon skins, that I got just by logging in, and when I didn't want to pay for a new weapon, I simply ignored the prompt.
For fans of this iconic series, Call of Duty: Mobile offers an enjoyable experience on a smaller scale. I liked the familiarity of returning characters, maps, as well as the unique modes designed strictly for this mobile iteration. I could get my hands on an assortment of weapons and skins without spending money, and the battle royale mode was definitely the gem of my playing experience. Although there will be those who swear against shooters on mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile offers a great Call of Duty experience on a handheld device.
SCORE: 4 STARS OUT OF 5
PLAY IF YOU LIKE:
You should check out Call of Duty: Mobile if you enjoyed this game.
device. If you got a kick out of this game but haven't gotten around to Call of Duty: Mobile give it a go!
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